Kevin Clark

Government funding cuts will leave South Tyneside schools almost £5million worse off by 2020, claims the UK’s biggest teaching union.

But a town hall bosses says the National Union of Teachers’ figures should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Coun Joan Atkinson

The websiteschoolcuts.org.uk, published by the NUT and other unions, says Government policy means schools in the borough will be £4,754,284 worse off and claims Ridgeway Primary Academy will be hardest hit, losing £900 per pupil.

The union says the proposed new National Funding Formula (NFF) will simply redistribute existing money across the country, while a Government funding freeze on top of rising costs will cut the value of funding by almost 10 per cent.

Regional secretary Mike McDonald said: ‘Under this Government’s funding policies, there are no winners, only losers. South Tyneside schools are being forced to make decisions no head should have to make, including reducing staff and teacher numbers, increasing class sizes and reducing the range of subjects. This is an unacceptable state of affairs.”

South Tyneside schools are being forced to make decisions no head should have to make.

NUT Regional Secretary Mike McDonald

South Tyneside Council’s lead member for children, young people and families, Coun Joan Atkinson, said: “These figures need to be viewed with caution. They project reductions by the 2019/20 financial year compared with 2015/16.

“The start of the 2017/18 financial year is now just weeks away so we will have a clearer picture of funding for our schools at that point.

“However, we hope to gain from the national funding formula, and, if so, our schools will be better off compared to schools in many other areas where many will see significant cuts to their education budgets.

“This uncertainty over funding is troubling but we will continue to work with schools on their annual budget exercise and provide support and assistance to schools that have specific budget issues.”